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The origin of the challenge...
I've participated in a few Hubpages challenges in the past, yet haven't had the time or opportunity to create one of my own. Nor could I think of any...that is, until I came across two...

Comments 98 comments

Any critic of the Arts is not worth my time to listen to them; all of the Arts are necessary to bring beauty into a world sorely missing in it. I don't care if it rhymes or doesn't, poetry is necessary in this world. Wonderful message, Genna!

WillStarr 3 years ago from Phoenix, Arizona

Whoa! That was superb!

diogenes 3 years ago from UK and Mexico

Well said and said well in verse. I think you may have meant "soaring" in verse three?

Regards

Bob

Amy Becherer 3 years ago from St. Louis, MO

Thank you from the bottom of my rhyming heart, Genna. I have had a few comments, though favorable, that sting nonetheless, when I am left with words indicating my message is less deep because it rhymes, or that I am an amateur because of it. The beauty of art is in its freedom. A clone is not the real deal. Viva la difference! Awesome topic that is relevent to all artists, Genna.

arb 3 years ago from oregon

Well Genna, you have illustrated well why we love the classics. You have illustrated well that rhyming does not detract, rather it compliments the line with craftmanship and much like the square peg which prefers a square to a circle, rhyme longs for its rightful place. Undoubtably, making a word work because it simply rhymes does not endear it to any of us and there is far too much of that. That the peg fits the square and rhymes, well that is classic poetry! Beautiful and memorable, a worthy example of poetic craftmanship!

mckbirdbks 3 years ago from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas

Genna you combine wit, wisdom and grace into such a splendid brew. Your poem has such a charm to it.

Maya 3 years ago

This is great Genna! I love the stick-it-in-your-ear message written in an elegant, beautiful and classic style. Brilliant use of metaphor and rhyme.

kashmir56 3 years ago from Massachusetts

Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem it was a wonderful read !

Vote up and more !!!

CreatePerfection 3 years ago from Beautiful Colorado

Genna,

This is a great piece. I love your poetry. Deep and meaningful, as always.

Blessings,

Lela

always exploring 3 years ago from Southern Illinois

Oh Genna, This is perfect poetry to still the voice of non lovers of rhyme. Loved it. Very meaningful. Cheers.

Perspycacious 3 years ago from Today's America and The World Beyond

I would use the term "classic" just as several others have. Very well done and in the class of classic style and depth of meanings.

Mhatter99 3 years ago from San Francisco

Exactly. Well put. Thank you for this.

Phyllis Doyle 3 years ago from High desert of Nevada.

UP, Awesome and Beautiful poem, Genna. I love poems that rhyme -- it takes a good poet to use rhyme in a way that gives meaning and beauty, and you have accomplished that very nicely. Well done!

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hi Susan;

Thank you very much. Good to see you. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hi Billy, and I so agree. Poetry is not as popular as it once was…more is the pity. Therefore, these rhyme critics may run the risk of dictating to others how to write. Thank you for that thoughtful comment.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hi Will. Thank you! That is so nice to hear. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Bob. Actually, that word is supposed to be souring, as the “should” is assumed to be “when.” But perhaps I didn’t express it very well; good catch! :-) I appreciate your visit and your comments.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Amy, you are welcome, from the bottom of my rhyming heart as well. Don't worry about that stinging commentary that is representative of those who do not understand the rhyme placement and intent. It is artistic expression. I have written a couple of rhyme poems that a few people didn’t understand, so I don’t write them as often. I want my poetry to be accessible, but this isn’t always the case. Perhaps in doing so, I’m not being true to myself. Hugs my friend.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Alan!

I love the classics; and find myself conjuring rhyme poetry that is similar at times. Rhyme can be lyrical when all of the notes find their proper homes; the pegs slip into the appropriate tone and pitch as the music tells its story. Thank you for that very thoughtful and kind comment. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Mike!

Thank you. I was trying to soften the message with grace…I hope I was successful. If you picked up on it, then I know I accomplished this. :-) Good to see you as always.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Maya.

Lol. I just commented to Mike pretty much the same thing regarding the message. Thanks so much, my good friend, for those nice comments.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, dear Kash. It’s always a pleasure to see you. :-)

AudreyHowitt 3 years ago from California

Oh Genna--this is beautiful! Sharing with all my poetry friends

DnWW 3 years ago

Dear Lady;

Bravo for standing up for poets who write rhyme, Gen, and so perfectly.

I’m no expert on the rules of poetry, but I sometimes think you lived another life in Elizabethan England. I have followed your rhyming poetry here, and your poems are stunning if not brilliant. They read gracefully, naturally and are unforced. I like their depth of meaning, and the double entendre you frequently employ. This takes special talent.

As for the critics? To misquote Shakespeare: ‘A pox on all their houses!’

XO

Don (and Molly)

teaches12345 3 years ago

Excellent! Shakespeareian at its best!! I am very impressed and love the words of the poem.

Vincent Moore 3 years ago

I truly believe every human is a poet to one degree or another. Whether we rhyme or not a word so spoken or combined with our thoughts will come out in a form that surprises many. I love the classics and in many ways feel close to them, yet a rhymer I am not.

I have a great respect for those who command it so well. You have delivered your message in classical style fitting a brilliant wordsmith like yourself dear poet. You never fail to deliver with your magnificent style and flare and command of words. I am humbled and have a great respect for your art. Voted Up and shared. Bravo, take a bow, I applaud you.

Hi Ruby. I’m so glad you liked this. Thanks for the visit; and your comments made my day! :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Perspycacious…thank you. Good to see you. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello MHatter99. I hope so…this was fun to write. Thank you!

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Phyllis! What a nice thing to say. Your supportive comments mean a lot; I am so appreciative of your kind words and votes. Cheers.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Audrey. Such lovely compliments from such a talented poet. Thank you. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hi Don and Molly…

Thank you! It’s odd you should mention this. When I was living in LA, some friends invited me to lunch at a new restaurant that touted an authentic Old England motif.

After walking down some steps at the eatery’s entrance, we entered a cavernous room. A giant, open hearth was situated near one wall where the cooking was being prepared by sous chefs dressed in servants’ garb. Beyond the hearth, a massive wooden wine rack climbed upward to the high ceiling; each of its triangular-shaped nooks cradled a dusty wine bottle. A stone fireplace on the opposite wall was adorned with an English Coat of Arms. I can’t say the theme was Elizabethan…except that it might have been a more modern version of “The Lion in Winter.”

I sat down at a rectangular wooden table with my friends; my chair had thick arms and a high back. I was overwhelmed with this strong déjà vu feeling of, “I’m home…safe…something of me has been here before.” It was an indescribable, peaceful calm that had no point of reference, and a little unnerving. I’d never felt it before that day, nor since.

I love your intentional misquote from R&J. “A plague on both their houses.” Hugs to you both. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Dianna. I love writing in this style although I don’t have an opportunity to do it often. Cheers! :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Vincent! Praise from you is high praise indeed. :-) I can understand how you would like the classics, for I suspect they rest deep within you in some way. I have heard others say that those who appreciate the classics are very old souls. So I guess we both have this in common. As always, it is good to see you. Your supportive and kind words mean so very much. Thank you, dear and brilliant poet, for your gracious encouragement.

Nellieanna 3 years ago from TEXAS

Genna - I'm carried away by the smooth beauty and meaning of your poetry. There are times when rhyming is the perfect music for the poem, as well as those in which freedom to make the music in other ways expesses what one wants to say best.

As so many commenters have said in various ways - the joy and beauty expressed by poetry and all art is its freedom, variety and versatility.

But if we all could say it so well in this classic style as you have, we'd surely all find it most ideal most often!

SilverGenes 3 years ago

Genna, I've always struggled with the idea that art must be 'in fashion' to have value and your poem makes the point with lyric beauty. Perhaps if the critics realized that great work has most often been recognized when the artist is gone, they would take more time to reflect on their own craft and truly "catch the quick before it leaves". Point made, and done so with style and elegance!

Gypsy Rose Lee 3 years ago from Riga, Latvia

Voted up and awesome.

I cannot tell a lie

Your poetry is truly divine

I like it just fine

Enjoyed this.

xstatic 3 years ago from Eugene, Oregon

Poetry, whether rhymed or not,

brings peace and comfort to our lot.

And if it brings a tear or two, then

read from Ogden Nash a few.

Dim Flaxenwick 3 years ago from Great Britain

Absolutely outstanding.. Shakespeare could do no better.

Why can´t we enjoy allsorts of poetry, whether rhyming, blank verse, prose.? If it´s well written it´s a winner.

This was extremely well written.

Alastar Packer 3 years ago from North Carolina

You caught the flavor of the Bard and silenced the critics of rhyme in superb style, Genna. You write poetry like I tried to once. Glad I left it in more worthy hands like yours.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello Nellieanna….

‘There are times when rhyming is the perfect music for the poem…”

So beautifully said, and so very true, dear Nellieanna. There is a lyric sense to the rhyme that is woven of patterns that may be simple on the surface, yet carries far more meaning when we look beyond the obvious.

Thank you! :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Alexandra! How wonderful it is to see you! ;-) I have always chaffed at rigid rules of fashion, or when being told there is only one way to look at a poem with regard to, “What does it mean?” When I was in college, I was sternly advised by a literature professor that “Mending Wall” had one meaning and only one when I arrived at two interpretations – one of which was different from his. This kind of thinking keeps the creative mind in a box.

Ahhh…Ogden Nash – the “unconventional” rhyming poet. But was does “unconventional” mean? I like his work and his unique sense of humor. My father liked him as well, and introduced me to his poetry years ago…he also liked Andy Rooney, and once said, “Imagine Andy Rooney a poet and you have Ogden Nash.” :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hello, dear Dim, and thank you for those very kind words. It’s always good to see you. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Alastar, you make me blush with such praise. I’m never completely satisfied with a poem I write…there is always one word or one line that could have been better. But I am so pleased you enjoyed this. And I think you would write wonderful poetry, Alastar. Thank you! :-)

unknown spy 3 years ago from Neverland - where children never grow up.

just breath-taking..the choice words, the metaphor, ohh i love it!

sharing

ALUR 3 years ago from USA

I have never had a problem with rhyme, it is whether or not the poet speaks well during his/her soliloquy. You have done a great job beyond the current poetry that is out there to exemplify not only rhyme, but beauty.

You're welcome to read/rate my hubs as well!

shiningirisheyes 3 years ago from Upstate, New York

Nothing like slapping those critics right in the kisser with a magnificent example of superb Shakespeare flavored poetry.

Absolutely wonderful

BobbiRant 3 years ago from New York

LOL Great hub! My poems, prose and plays professor in college used to call me a 'poetry whimp' because I didn't know my stanzas from a hole in the ground. I didn't care. Great poem about my favorite form of writing. Love it!

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

I’m sorry I’m late in responding, but I’m expecting my first grandchild to arrive in a matter of a few days, and we are all just soo excited and over the moon about this, I just can’t think straight! :-) :-)

@unknown spy

Thank you, dear poet. This was fun to write as well.

@ALUR

Thank you, Alur, and I look forward to reading yours as well.

@Shining Irish Eyes

Thank you, Beckie. :-) Lol. This was written “tongue in cheek style” as they say.

@BobbiRant

Thank you, Bobbi. Well said. Certain college professors and high school teachers can wreak havoc on an aspiring poet, but others know how to teach and inspire poetry. It’s the luck of the draw. Good to see you.

Genna, you would have made Shakespeare Proud! Beautiful Poem, all the right rhythm and rhyme, and put together, it Flows oh so well.

My Votes of UP & Beautiful and Awesome too.

A warm Congratulations on your 2nd year with Hub Pages!

marcoujor 3 years ago from Jeffersonville PA

Dear Genna,

I am glad I found this late

As I would like to congratulate

You and yours on your first

Grandbabe, your hearts will burst!

Oh, and I have always loved your poetry... Even between the lines.

Voted UP and UABI. Hugs, Maria

Eiddwen 3 years ago from Wales

Oh so wonderful and I vote up,across and share.

Here's to so many more to come Genna;you have a gift and I am honoured to share.

Have a wonderful day.

Eddy.

Cyndi10 3 years ago from Georgia

This is great. I love rhymed poetry and really envy those who write it well. You have done so fantastically. I'm glad Eiddwen shared this. You have my vote up.

Sunnie Day 3 years ago

Genna, when I read your work I feel like I am in a waltz of some kind, a magical place where the words just dance across the pages. Your poetry is like no other. Thank you.

web923 3 years ago from Twentynine Palms, California

Perfect! You are a top rate poet and this was an awesome read! I loved every line!

sharonchristy 3 years ago from India

My! My! I was so carried away for some time, thou art a great follower, in troth. So witty and fine and with an impeccable rhythm too, not too dense or pretentious, so free flowing, clear and fascinating. How I loved it! I have not words to express it except I admire you so! Marvellous! Mama Mia! You are wonderful!

must65gt 3 years ago

Your words seed thought from thoughtless minds

And bequeath soft words towards those unkind

Reflecting souls who write with hasty quill

Who spread discontent and seed Ill-will

But oft I too have felt the critic’s eye

And felt the sting from calloused minds

That brought forth thoughts to cease within

And find a course remiss of parchments pen

But from the fathoms of my inner soul

A Burning spurred and took my spirit hold

And begged me to write from deep within

And find that special place to start again

For to write poetry filled with grace and rhyme

A challenge poised from heart to the mind

That meaning would rise from passions depths

And bring a smile from wince a crushed soul wept

Take heart poetic souls hold not back your pen

And bring forth thoughts and dreams that lie within

For those whom cast dimly on verse with rhyme

Lack the gift instilled within a true poets mind

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@prasetio

Why thank you! I appreciate your comment and vote. :-)

@b.Malin

Thanks, Barb. That was such a nice thing to say. It’s always good to see you. I can’t believe it’s been two years already. :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@marcoujor

Hi Maria;

What a lovely poem, dear Maria. And I loved your comment “between the lines”…it fits perfectly. :-) She arrived last night; 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and her name is Charlotte. (After my mother…she even has her red hair.). Flying to Denver tomorrow, and am soo excited. Thanks for those lovely comments.

Love and hugs.

@Eiddwen

Thank you Eddy. I love the gifts you share as well. Cheers.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@Cyndi10

Hello Cyndi. I’m pleased Eddy shared this as well. Thank you for that lovely comment and vote!

@Sunnie Day

Kim, that is such a nice thing to say. My rhyming poetry has to be lyrical – for me. Otherwise, it’s like stubbing my toe over the words; it has to have a flow like a melody. Thank you for that very nice comment. It truly touched my heart. Hugs.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@web923

Thank you! And it’s so good to meet you. I truly appreciate your comments. Have a great day.

@Sharonchristy

What a pretty name, Sharon Christy. I’m so pleased you enjoyed this. Some of my poetry is a little inaccessible, so I try to keep the words simple, but with a powerful message that may sometimes “lay beneath” in lyrical form. I dislike anything that comes off as pretentious. Good to see you!

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@must65

Hi. I loved your poem. Thank you so much! :-)

“For those whom cast dimly on verse with rhyme

Lack the gift instilled within a true poets mind.”

Exactly. “Tis not your brew our words endow…”

It’s good to see you, and thank you for those enlightening words.

Quoteslover 3 years ago

Really beautiful words

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you! :-)

mckbirdbks 3 years ago from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas

Good morning Genna. I just swung by for another read.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Mike. You’re always welcome! :-)

Rosemay50 3 years ago from Hawkes Bay - NewZealand

You said it girl! so elegantly and with such style. It is not as simple as some seem to think, writing in rhyme and keeping the essence of the poem flowing naturally is sometimes a challenge.

You did it perfectly here in true Shakespearian style.

Well done you :)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Rose. The "flowing naturally" is challenge -- you are right. :-)

snakeslane 3 years ago from Canada

Hi Genna, How elegantly you respond to critics of the rhymed genre. It's as if you cast a spell on those who only wish to dwell on superficial sound when all around your words astound with subtlety and symmetry, refreshing as a blend of aromatic tea! Regards, snakeslane

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you for tyour wonderful and kind description; that was exactly my intent behind the words. Good to seee you! Cheers. :-)

By dense, I mean layered and deep. So lovely in its choice of words and symbols. Loved it. Loved also seeing and reading a masterful use of old language forms that have not at all become trite.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you for that very nice commnet. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. :-)

diogenes 3 years ago from UK and Mexico

Beautifully addressed, Genna. I also have written poetry, both rhyming and unfettered: I believe there is no right way, just this way and that way. To dismiss disciplined verse would be to dismiss the greater body of classical poetry. You are a wonderful poet, one of the best I have read lately

Bob x

ocfireflies 3 years ago from North Carolina

Genna,

Greetings! Thank you on behalf of all of us who write poetry from the heart and are not afraid to let our words rhyme.

Blessings,

ocfireflies aka Kim

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@Diogenes

Hi there. I’d love to read your poetry, Bob. I had fun writing this one. Thank you for that generous comment…it made my day! :-)

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

@ocfireflies

Hi Kim…

Good to see you. Rhyme is here to stay…and I will argue with anyone who thinks otherwise. It is our rite of passage. :-) Thank you for those encouraging words.

LadyFiddler 2 years ago from Somewhere in the West

Extremely beautiful Genna i love it " wonderful composition of poetry" voting up and sharing.

Genna East 2 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Thank you, Lady! I had a lot of fun writing this one. :-)

rajan jolly 2 years ago from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar,INDIA.

You've proved that rhyming poetry is no less a beautiful piece of art. And I believe rhyming verses are neither a child's play nor easy to compose.

This is beautiful Genna.

Genna East 2 years ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

I agree, Rajan. And thank you for that nice compliment. :-)

RTalloni 24 months ago from the short journey

Yeah… :)

And to those who criticize rhyme, well, in the south there's an old saying, "Don't mess with Mama's babies." Don't forget Aristotle, though, "To avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."

Seriously, I enjoyed your poem immensely. Even when inspired, to write that way requires real work.

Genna East 24 months ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

"Don't mess with Mama's babies." I love that one. And Aristotle summed it up perfectly. We can also be critical of critics...it goes with the territory, and can be fun and cathartic. :-) Thanks for your visit and comment.

Billrrrr 12 months ago from Cape Cod

That you scored a hit with your work, is proven by the great quantity of admiring comments it generated. Please add mine to the group and also take my sincere admiration for your studied and spirited work. Genna, you are the best!! A final note to those who would belittle the work of wordsmiths: You are like the fussy little editors who used to quibble over the placement of commas or the length of sentences in the writings of 20th century Boston humorist Fred Allen. Fred said to them, and I say to you, "Where were you when the page was empty?"

Genna East 12 months ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Hi Bill...

Thanks for much for the visit and encouraging comments. I had a lot of fun writing this little poem. I loved your note about the "fussy little editors," which is so true. And Fred Allen's humor. :-)

shprd74 11 months ago from Bangalore

Total bowled. Excellent reading for poets to be. I enjoyed the rythm and also the message. Thanks Geena.

- Hari

AudreyHowitt 11 months ago from California

Still loving this piece Genna!

Jodah 11 months ago from Queensland Australia

Genna, Sorry it has taken me so long to find this wonderful piece of rhyming poetry. It upsets me greatly when I hear modern critics ay that rhyming poetry is defunct and no longer relevant, or a sign of good poetry. If anyone can find fault with this masterpiece I would be surprised. It is a great example of good rhyming poetry in the spirit of William Shakespeare. Wonderful.

Genna East 11 months ago from Massachusetts, USA Author

Shprd75; AudreyHowitt; and Jodah...

Hello and thank you! I had such a good time writing this one. These particular critics -- aka the jackals of the literary world -- write: "The fledgling poet may suffer the inane, stifling shackles of rhyme before graduating to more serious forms of poetry." What codswallop. I could be more candid in my response to such pusillanimous mind-mush, but I'll stop there, reminding myself that I'm a lady and a grandmother. :-) I so enjoyed your visits. Hope you are enjoying the weekend.